All the cool guys have a Deuce chassis under their hot rod roadsters, right? Wrong! While the 1932 platform may be quite prevalent—then and now—it's not the only frame game in town.

Though the Model T chassis is really stretch when it comes to hot rod material, both T and A bodies, from roadsters to coupes and sedans, look more than at home perched atop a Model A frame. Boxed and appropriately crossmembered, they're absolutely perfectly suited for a V-8–powered hot rod life—and that's precisely what retired Naval officer Bob Tapp chose with his 1927 T roadster.

Up until his retirement, Oregonian Bob Tapp's 31-year Navy career had not given sufficient time for him to actually enjoy something he truly loved: hot rods. Of course that all changed once he finally embarked upon his civilian life a few years back. It all started with an Internet search, which ultimately turned up a sweet little 1927 Ford roadster originally built by Larry S. in nearby Beaverton.

As many a hot rod acquisition goes, Bob proceeded to "personalize" his purchase, but not in the visual manner, rather, by having its already-installed Buick Nailhead attended to. Taking the 1927 to Grant Springer (Eugene, Oregon), the '66 401ci V-8 was given a performance "gone-through," which when all was said and done, offering the nimble 2,000-pound roadster an admirable 325 hp, whether it needs it or not! Helping with the added power is an Edelbrock dual-quad setup and a set of custom Springer weed burner–style headers. Behind the finned accessory-equipped Nailhead lies a Turbo 400 trans followed by a 1955 Chevy rearend.

The aforementioned Model A chassis—circa 1931 to be exact—features a later spring-forward, un-dropped (but drilled) I-beam axle located with a split wishbone and tube shocks, while coilovers and custom-made ladder bars support the rear. Fully accenting the roadster's metallic silver and lime green flamed exterior are a quartet of BFGoodrich Silvertown whitewall-shod Radir five-spokes, complete with not only bullet center caps, but a full complement of bullet lug nuts as well. The interior has been done in similar fashion, with white leather tuck 'n' roll contrasted with lime green piping and silver carpet below. A custom-made, antique glass knob–topped shifter (crafted by welding together actual chain link) and an array of Dolphin gauges inset in a custom housing finishing off the roadster's interior.

It should go without saying, now that Bob not only has the time to truly enjoy hot rodding, but a hot rod in which to enjoy from behind the wheel of, that's precisely what he does... wherever and whenever possible.